Laparoscopic posterior vagotomy and anterior seromyotomy.

Laparoscopic truncal vagotomy with anterior seromyotomy, as described by Taylor, is our operation of choice in open surgery for elective treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer because it is a rapid, reliable and efficacious procedure. This procedure also does not have the variability of highly selective vagotomy in relation to the surgeon who is performing the operation. The technique is standardised and the results on 90 patients showed minimal morbidity and no mortality with a recurrence rate of 4.2% after a follow-up of 2-41 months. These results are very similar to those obtained in open surgery and compare favorably with the recurrence results after medical treatment. The procedure is therefore effective and safe and should be included in the armamentarium of treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer resistant to a thorough medical treatment.